Grasping God's Word Chapter 2

The Interpretive Journey

provides a consistent, reliable way to move from the Bible’s meaning for the ancient audience across the river of differences to a legitimate application of that same meaning for us today

Principilizing Bridge

the theological principle or principles that are reflected in the meaning of the text that allow the interpreter to cross the river of differences

Parts Whole Spiral

To reflect back and forth between a specific text and the teachings of the rest of Scripture

Historical Particularity

God chose to speak his word through human words in history so God’s word to us was first of all God’s word to them. The more familiar you are with the biblical world (especially Isreal), the more clearly you heart God. Interpretation begins by asking what a text meant back then and there.

Every reader brings presuppositions to the text

Every reader is at the same time an interpreter - we bring our experiences, culture and prior understandings. Modern readers hears “cross” (a shape from later art) or “flesh” (we hear body; Paul means the self-centred sinful nature). Goal: let the Bible speak from its own vantage point

Self Revealation

The Bible is God’s revelation of himself. Its object: that we come to know God better, letting his attributes frame our worldview. It is the store of God revealing himself in history - and when we know who God is, the fitting responses of worship, commitment and service follow

Authority - Internal Evidence

The BIble’s self attestation of its authority as delegated by God

Christ recognized the biblical writings as authoritative

The unity of the Bible requires that all of it speak with divine authority

Authority - External evidence

Its practical effects in people’s lives; its cumulative influence; its remarkable survival

The confirmation of its claims in the findings of archaeology

The inner witness of the Holy Spirit

Authority - Implications of the BIble’s authority

Accept what it says as truth

We must respond - we cannot afford to ignore or neglect it, or him

The Interpretive Journey

Interpreting is a journey: read carefully and grasp the meaning already there - the meaning God intended, not one we create. Applying a text directly to ourselves runs into trouble

The River of Differences

We are separated from the biblical audience by culture, language, situation and time - a river blocking a straight move from “what it meant to them” to “what it means to us”. The OT river is wider: a change of covenant (Israel under the law; we approach God through Christ under the new covenant)

Exegesis

Hearing the word as the original readers heard it: the careful, systematic study of Scripture to discover the original, intended meaning - primarily a historical test”, the then and there

Hermeneutics (and application)

Hearing that same word in the here and now. It always begins with solid exegesis

Why exegesis first?

The only proper control for hermeneutics is the original intent of the biblical text. Otherwise interpretation collapses into total subjectivity. Even the Spirit’s help will come in our discovering that original intent - he does not contradict what he inspired

The Five steps of the journey

Step 1 - Grasp the Text in their Town - What id dit mean to the biblical audience

Observe all you can: grammar, significant words, historical & literary context (how the passage relates to what comes before and after). Synthesize the meaning in 1 - 2 sentences, past tense; be specific - no principles yet

Tools: Bible dictionary, handbook, a formal translation, sound commentaries

The Five steps of the journey

Step 2: Measure the Width of the River - What are the differences

Gauge how wide the river is (a vast expanse or a narrow creek)

List the differences in culture, language, situation, time, and (for the OT) covenant. For an OT text, identify the theological differences that came through the life and work of Jesus

The Five steps of the journey

Step 3 - Cross the Principlizing Bridge - What is the theological Principle

The hardest step. Recall the differences, then find teh similarities between their situation and ours; state a broader principle genuinely in the text that spans them - the bridge across the river. Write it in 1 - 2 sentences, present/future tense. Five criteria:

1. The principle should be reflected in the text

2. The principle should be timeless and not tied to a specific situation

3. The principle should not be culturally bound

4. The principle should correspond to the teaching the rest of Scripture

   1. The principle should be relevant to both the biblical and the contemporary audience

The Five steps of the journey

Step 4 - Consult the Biblical Map - How does the principle fit the whole Bible

Enter teh parts - whole spiral: move back and forth between your passage and the rest of Scripture. Is the principle consistent with teh whole Bible? Do other passages add insight or qualification? For an OT text, run it “through the grid of the New Testament” (we interpret as NT Christians). Fine tune the wording

The Five steps of the journey

Step 5 - Grasp the Text in Our Town - How do we live it out?

Apply the principle to real life - don’t leave the meaning stranded in an abstract principle. Usually one ( or a few) principle, but many applications, since Christians are in many different situations. Be specific about how you will respond

Intuitive Approach

Feels right approach to interpretation

If the text looks as if it could be applied directly, then they attempt to apply it directly

Spiritualizing approach

An approach that borders on allegorizing the biblical text (which shows little or no sensitivity to the biblical context)

They shrug their should and move on to another passage, ignoring th meaning of the text altogether